Katich accuses India of negative tactics

Published: Sunday, November 9, 2008, 11:57 [IST]

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Nagpur, Nov.9 : Australia centurion Simon Katich accused India of negative tactics in the fourth and final test after his own side's defensive batting on Saturday (November 8) had marred their chances of forcing a series-levelling victory.

India's bowlers operated successfully to a packed off-side field to restrict the runs when the tourists needed to post a commanding first innings total at a fast rate to get into a position to grab a result.

"You are kidding me, are you not? We were the defensive with an 8-1 field?" Katich asked reporters while replying to a query on sluggish run rate in the first session in central Nagpur city, hosting the fourth and final test between India and Australia.

Australia added 166 runs in 85.4 overs at a snail's pace on the third day while losing eight wickets to be bowled out for 355, a first innings deficit of 86 runs.

Katich said their batting did not exactly follow their plan.

"(Michael) Hussey and I were pretty content to try and wait it out and then review it later in the day. Unfortunately that didn't happen due to both of us getting out. When that doesn't come off, it doesn't look great," Katich said.

Katich said Australia would now look at keeping their second innings target to 300.

The world's top-ranked team has not lost a series since the 2005 Ashes tour of England.

India speedster Ishant Sharma stood by India's strategy.

"I don't think it was a negative line. You can see that some balls, Hussey and Katich got edges and it went through the hands," he said.

"Obviously they are known as a very attacking team. If they are known as an attacking team, they are trying to do things but it can't go in their favour always. It went in our favour, that is very good for us," added Sharma.

Michael Hussey hit a resolute 90 after Simon Katich (102) completed his fifth test century before India grabbed three wickets in the second session, third-test centurion Michael Clarke's dismissal triggering a collapse.

India finished with a first-innings lead of 86, off-spinner Harbhajan Singh having taken three for 94. The hosts were then nought without loss at the close.

Brad Haddin (28) and plucky Cameron White (46) put on 52 for the seventh wicket before Amit Mishra removed Haddin with a big leg-break that kissed the bat and flew to Rahul Dravid at slip as the batsman shaped to leave the ball.